Ultrasonic Scaler

When your gum disease has gone from gingivitis to periodontal disease, your teeth require more help than simply brushing and flossing at home. Periodontal disease needs to be treated in the dental office with scaling and root planing. At Kooning Family Dentistry, it is our goal to provide you with the highest quality dental care. In order to do this, we have integrated the latest technological advances, including ultrasonic scalers to help treat your periodontal disease.

Scaling and Root Planing

In order to remove tartar, plaque, and bacteria and allow your gums to heal, we need to perform a procedure known as scaling and root planing. Scaling cleans the surfaces of your teeth, including just below the gum line. Root planing cleans the root surface. These actions create a smooth surface, making it difficult for bacteria to collect.

Ultrasonic Scaling

Traditionally, scaling was done with a metal instrument. This method, while effective, can often be painful, causing even more trauma to the gum tissue than it is currently experiencing. Ultrasonic scaling is a new, technological advancement in the treatment that operates at a high frequency to more efficiently, and less painfully, remove tartar buildup on your teeth.

Ultrasonic scalers use one of two types of technology: magnetostrictive or piezo-electric technology. With magnetostrictive scalers, a magnetic strip causes the tip of the scaler to move in a circular motion. They move at a speed of between 25,000 and 30,000 cycles per second. Piezo-electric scalers move a bit faster, between 28,000 and 36,000 cycles per second, and are operated from the handle. The tip moves back and forth against the tooth to remove buildup. Ultrasonic scalers also have a sprayer on them, allowing us to rinse as we clean your teeth, rather than trying to operate a separate sprayer while manually scraping your teeth.

You spend less time in the chair. This means your appointment is shorter, so you can get back to your day.

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Ultrasonic scalers are far more efficient at removing tartar buildup.

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Spray tips allow for easier removal of plaque and tartar as it is removed from your teeth. The water also reduces the need for rinsing.

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An antiseptic can be used in place of water, which allows us to kill infection causing bacteria as we care for your teeth.

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Less trauma to your already sensitive gum tissue.

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Stains can also be removed at the same time, giving your teeth a whiter shine.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Gum disease starts as gingivitis, which is often characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed when brushed or flossed. Gum disease can often go undetected, as these symptoms may not present themselves or you may not notice them. As gum disease progresses, bacteria grow below the gum line creating infections in the gums. This is because plaque, a sticky substance that builds up on the surface of your teeth, hardens into tartar, which cannot be removed with regular brushing. Tartar pushes up against your gums, leading to inflammation. This inflammation causes your gums to pull away from your teeth.

Periodontal disease can lead to some serious issues if not properly treated. We want to provide you with the best oral health care possible, and to do this, we are using ultrasonic scalers to remove harmful plaque, tartar and bacteria from your teeth, allowing you to heal. Call us at (503) 673-9097 today for more information.